Garvin County is not currently under a burn ban, but county officials are asking residents to voluntarily refrain from burning until dry conditions in the area improve.
“We have seen an uptick in grass fires in the last week,” Deputy Director of Emergency Management Jamey Meadows told the Garvin County Board of Commissioners during their regular meeting Monday.
Meadows said county fire departments battled multiple grass fires over the weekend, including one that ignited from a resident burning trash and consumed around 40 acres.
Garvin County Commissioners issued a statement Monday afternoon warning of an increased fire danger and asking county residents to use extreme caution when burning.
“Any fire started during this time can spread rapidly and may quickly become out of control. At this time there is no Burn Ban in effect. … If at all possible, we ask you not to burn at all until conditions improve,” the commissioners’ statement said, in part.
More than 75% of the county is currently in severe drought according to a U.S. Drought Monitor report released Nov. 13. Rain is forecast for nearly the entire state Wednesday evening through Friday morning.
